Los Angeles-based real estate developer DJM has announced plans to redevelop a portion of a shopping mall in Huntington Beach with multifamily housing and commercial space. 

Rendering of the proposed developmentDJM

The project, which has been submitted to the Huntington Beach Planning Commission for review, calls for demolishing a portion of the Bella Terra shopping center to make way for a new five-story edifice featuring 300 residential units above 25,000 square feet of ground-floor shops and restaurants.

"This project provides Huntington Beach residents additional living options in a manner that is sustainable and thoughtfully integrated into the Bella Terra commercial project," said DJM chief operations officer Becky Sullivan in a prepared statement.  "The updated retail mix will serve the daily needs of the new residential tenants while providing attractions and amenities to the larger surrounding area."

The new housing complex, which would be accompanied by a parking structure for residents, would replace a portion of the Bella Terra mall which is now occupied by Burlington Coat factory and several smaller retailers.  Altogether, plans call for demolishing approximately 245,000 square feet of existing space.

Bella Terra's Burlington Coat Factory, which would be demolished to make way for the proposed developmentDJM

Under current plans, DJM would set as 15 percent of the development - 45 total apartments - as deed-restricted affordable housing.  Huntington Beach has been mandated to plan for more than 13,300 new homes over the coming eight years under the Southern California Association of Governments' updated regional housing needs assessment.

DJM has owned the Bella Terra mall since 2005, and has since added a new stage, lawn, and beer garden near the center of the property.  The company also owns Lido Marina Village, which was recently refinanced for $70 million.

Outside of Orange County, DJM also owns the Runway complex in Playa Vista and the landmark Hollywood & Highland Center, which is currently in the midst of a $100-million renovation which will convert the mall's upper floors to office space.

Location of the Bella Terra shopping center in Huntington BeachGoogle Maps